The German component distribution market stabilised in the fourth quarter of 2012, with a 10% increase in orders, according to the German distribution industry body FBDi, as the Embedded World exhibition opens in Nuremberg.
The book-to-bill ratio (ratio of new orders placed to billed) in the fourth quarter was 1.07, giving hope for additional positive developments in 2013.
Fourth quarter revenues of FBDi member component distribution companies were €611m, only 3.9% below the same quarter in the previous year.
However, the poor start to 2012 resulted in full-year revenues of €2.76bn, a decline of 10%.
"As predicted throughout the year, the German distribution market came in at pretty much the same sales level as 2010,” said FBDi chairman, Georg Steinberger of Avnet.
"In contrast to all the doomsayers the FBDi is optimistic about 2013, calling for light growth,” said Steinberger:
Orders grew 10.2% in the fourth quarter to €651m.
“The potential for German industry is by European and international comparison excellent."
However, how the distribution market progresses in 2013 does not depend only on the German business environment, says Steinberger.
"Sales increases and reports of a resurgence in exports from German companies are in contrast to higher inventory levels by some manufacturers and a general trend in the PC market,” said Steinberger.
Source:
http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2013/02/26/55643/embedded-world-opens-as-german-market-lifts.htm
